In Historical Theology: The Patristic Period (CH201) Dr. George Kalantzis provides an in-depth study of the theological developments of the early church during the patristic era. Beginning with the world of early Christianity, you will grasp the major historical events, the philosophical ideas, and the pagan religions that shaped the world into which the New Testament church was born. The course covers topics such as persecution and martyrdom, apologetics, Gnosticism, ecclesiology, Christology, and the Trinity in the context of the Roman Empire. Lastly, you will learn what religious, historical, and political influences gave rise to the ecumenical councils that produced the foundational summaries of the Christian faith.
Introduction
Introduction
Introducing the Speaker and the Course
4m
The World of Early Christianity
Why Study History and Key Developments of the First Six Centuries
7m
The Unification of the Mediterranean World
8m
The Maccabean Interlude
10m
History of the Roman Empire
10m
Geography of the Roman Empire
8m
Social Organization in the Roman Empire: Part 1
10m
Social Organization in the Roman Empire: Part 2
11m
Slavery in the Ancient World
9m
Virtue and Humility
8m
Platonic Thought
9m
Platonic Mysticism and Aristotelian Thought
7m
Roman Religion
10m
Religion and the Imperial Cult
9m
Graeco-Roman Attitudes toward Jews
10m
Graeco-Roman Attitudes toward Christians
10m
Persecution and Martyrdom
Causes of Christian Persecution
10m
The First Persecutions under Nero and the First Jewish Revolt
10m
The Second Persecutions under Domitian
9m
The Church under the Antonines: Part 1
11m
The Church under the Antonines: Part 2
11m
Ignatius of Antioch
10m
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
10m
The Martyrs of Lyon and Vienne
11m
The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas
11m
Apologetics
Christian Apologetics
10m
Justin Martyr
11m
Christianization of Hellenism and Christian Defenses against Civil Charges and Mystery Religions
8m
Christian Response to Non-Christian Myths and Philosophy
10m
Marcus Aurelius and Celsus on Christianity
9m
Two Kinds of Reason
9m
Gnosticism
Origins of Gnosticism
7m
Gnostic Proof Texts
10m
Fundamental Tenets of Gnosticism
9m
Gnostic Movements and Motifs of “Christian Gnosticism”
11m
Marcion and Christian Gnosticism
9m
Irenaeus and Gnosticism
8m
The Self-Defining of the Early Church
9m
The Rule of Faith
8m
Monarchianism
Introduction to Monarchianism
8m
Tertullian and against Praxeas
9m
The Self-Revelation of the Triune God
6m
Ecclesiology and Church Order
The State of the Roman Empire
9m
Emperor Decius’ Edict
10m
Those Who Denied the Faith
10m
Ecclesiology and the Doctrine of Penance
7m
Sacramental Theology
9m
Conversion of the Empire
An Imperial Chronology
11m
The Great Persecution
9m
Constantine’s Consolidation of the West
10m
The End of the Great Persecution
10m
Constantine and the Christological Controversies
9m
Origen on the Trinity
10m
The Arian Controversy
9m
The Council of Nicaea
9m
From Constantine to Theodosius
10m
Christology and Trinity
Christological Formulas, Confessions, and Creeds
10m
The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed
10m
Christological Language: Part 1
9m
Christological Language: Part 2
11m
Arianism after Nicaea
10m
The Cappadocian Fathers: Basil the Great
8m
The Cappadocian Fathers: Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa